Although the pay scales, training and attire are considerably different, at the heart of it pet sitters and attorneys have a lot in common. The way that both professionals develop and maintain books of business are largely dependent upon referrals, responsiveness and communication. Of course, if I was in the market for someone to watch my commodo dragon, I imagine that I would have to depend upon a limited number of people with this expertise. As it stands, I was simply looking for some white bread service- someone to feed, water and love our cat and bird for a few days.
A strong referral network is key. I was pleasantly surprised to receive about 10 leads. Initially, I thought it would be tricky to whittle down the options but as it turned out responsive pet sitters got my attention and kept it, I did not bother to follow-up with a second call or email to any of the 5 that didn’t respond within 24 hours.
The billing structures also seem an easy way to stand apart from the pack. Pet sitters offer vastly different fee structures. Some charge by the number of animals, some by the time of visit, some by geography and still others charge by the number of duties you need fulfilled (i.e. surcharge of $ 1 for checking the mail, $ 3 for watering the plants, $ 3 for bringing out the garbage on garbage day, etc). Ultimately, I went with the billing strategy that spoke to me, this sitter returned a quote based on frequency of visits, number of animals, and energy needed to fulfill the duties. The quote included a range not a set fee. .
To all the attorneys looking to grow, or simply maintain, their practice, here are some easy reminders:
- Cast a wide, deep network
- Respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible(even to turn down and offer- see first bullet)
- Communicate! Explain your fees, services and ask questions - make sure you are a good match for your client
